Perfect 7-day Uzbekistan itinerary covering Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara. Day-by-day guide with hotels, transport, costs, and insider tips for the Silk Road.
Seven days is the perfect amount of time for your first Uzbekistan adventure. This itinerary covers the three jewels of the Silk Road — Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara — at a comfortable pace with time to truly absorb each city.
Itinerary Overview
| Day | City | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive Tashkent | Airport pickup, settle in |
| 2 | Tashkent | Metro, bazaar, museums |
| 3 | Samarkand | Train, Registan at sunset |
| 4 | Samarkand | Shah-i-Zinda, Bibi-Khanym |
| 5 | Bukhara | Train, old town arrival |
| 6 | Bukhara | Ark, Lyabi-Hauz, crafts |
| 7 | Tashkent → Departure | Morning train, flight |
Start Your Journey Right
TourFixer Airport Pickup — from $25
Driver meets you in Tashkent arrivals with a name sign. Fixed price, no haggling on Day 1 of your Silk Road adventure.
from $25 fixed $25
Book Airport TransferDay 1: Arrive in Tashkent
Focus: Arrival, rest, first impressions
| Time | Activity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Arrival | Airport pickup | Pre-book with TourFixer from $25 — driver meets you in arrivals |
| Check-in | Hotel in city center | Rest after flight |
| Evening | Light dinner nearby | Try local cafe |
| Optional | Evening walk | Broadway pedestrian street |
Where to Stay in Tashkent
| Budget | Hotel | Price |
|---|---|---|
| $$ | Wyndham Tashkent | $80-120 |
| $$$ | Hilton Tashkent | $130-180 |
| $$$$ | Hyatt Regency | $180-250 |
Airport Transfer Options
| Option | Price | Convenience |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-booked private transfer | $15-25 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Yandex taxi | $5-8 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Public bus | from $0.50 | ⭐⭐ |
Day 2: Explore Tashkent
Focus: Modern capital, Soviet heritage, local life
| Time | Activity | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 | Chorsu Bazaar | 2 hours |
| 11:30 | Kukeldash Madrasah | 30 min |
| 12:00 | Lunch at bazaar | 1 hour |
| 14:00 | Tashkent Metro tour | 2 hours |
| 16:30 | Amir Timur Square | 1 hour |
| 18:00 | Dinner at Caravan | Evening |
Tashkent Metro: Must-See Stations
| Station | Why Visit |
|---|---|
| Kosmonavtlar | Space-themed, stunning mosaics |
| Alisher Navoi | Literary theme, beautiful tilework |
| Bodomzor | Modern, impressive architecture |
| Mustaqillik | Independence theme |
Tip: Metro costs only from $0.15 per ride!
Day 3: Tashkent → Samarkand
Focus: High-speed train, Registan at sunset
| Time | Activity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 | Check out, head to station | |
| 9:00 | Afrosiyob train departure | 2h 10min |
| 11:30 | Arrive Samarkand | |
| 12:00 | Check into hotel | |
| 12:30 | Lunch | |
| 14:00 | Rest/free time | |
| 16:00 | Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum | Tamerlane's tomb |
| 17:30 | Walk to Registan | |
| 18:00 | Registan at sunset | The highlight! |
| 19:30 | Dinner with view |
Train Booking Tips
| Class | Price | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | $12-15 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Business | $20-25 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Book at: chipta.railway.uz
Where to Stay in Samarkand
| Budget | Hotel | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| $$ | Zilol Baxt | Near Registan |
| $$$ | Movenpick | Luxury, pool |
| $$ | Dilimah Premium | Modern, central |
Day 4: Full Day in Samarkand
Focus: UNESCO sites, history deep-dive
| Time | Activity | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 | Shah-i-Zinda | 2 hours |
| 11:30 | Bibi-Khanym Mosque | 1 hour |
| 12:30 | Siab Bazaar lunch | 1 hour |
| 14:00 | Rest at hotel | 2 hours |
| 16:00 | Ulugh Beg Observatory | 1.5 hours |
| 18:00 | Registan (different light) | 1 hour |
| 19:30 | Dinner |
Samarkand Must-See Sites
| Site | Entrance Fee | Time Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Registan Square | from $6 | 1.5-2 hours |
| Shah-i-Zinda | from $4 | 1.5-2 hours |
| Bibi-Khanym | from $4 | 45 min |
| Gur-e-Amir | from $4 | 45 min |
| Observatory | from $3 | 45 min |
Pro tip: Shah-i-Zinda is magical in morning light. Go early!
Day 5: Samarkand → Bukhara
Focus: Second train journey, Bukhara arrival
| Time | Activity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 | Breakfast, pack | |
| 10:00 | Last Samarkand photos | |
| 11:00 | Taxi to station | |
| 11:25 | Afrosiyob departure | 1h 35min |
| 13:00 | Arrive Bukhara | |
| 13:30 | Transfer to Old Town | 20 min from station |
| 14:00 | Check into boutique hotel | |
| 14:30 | Lunch | |
| 16:00 | Explore Lyabi-Hauz | Relax by the pond |
| 18:00 | Sunset walk through old town | |
| 19:30 | Dinner at Lyabi-Hauz |
Where to Stay in Bukhara
| Type | Hotel | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Boutique | Amelia Boutique | Traditional courtyard |
| Mid-range | Zargaron Plaza | Near main sights |
| Budget | Old Bukhara | Simple but charming |
Tip: Stay in the OLD TOWN for the best experience!
Day 6: Full Day in Bukhara
Focus: Living history, crafts, relaxation
| Time | Activity | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 | Kalyan Minaret & Mosque | 1.5 hours |
| 10:30 | Mir-i-Arab Madrasah (exterior) | 30 min |
| 11:00 | Ark Fortress | 1.5 hours |
| 12:30 | Lunch | |
| 14:00 | Trading domes (shopping) | 2 hours |
| 16:00 | Bolo-Hauz Mosque | 30 min |
| 16:30 | Tea break at Lyabi-Hauz | 1 hour |
| 18:00 | Ismail Samani Mausoleum | 30 min |
| 19:00 | Dinner | |
| 21:00 | Night walk (beautiful lighting) |
Bukhara Must-See Sites
| Site | Entrance Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ark Fortress | from $5 | Former royal residence |
| Kalyan Complex | Free (exterior) | Iconic minaret |
| Trading Domes | Free | Bazaar shopping |
| Lyabi-Hauz | Free | Relax, watch life |
What to Buy in Bukhara
| Item | Where | Budget |
|---|---|---|
| Silk scarves | Toki Sarrafon | $15-40 |
| Ceramics | Toki Telpak | $5-30 |
| Miniature paintings | Near Lyabi-Hauz | $10-50 |
| Suzani embroidery | Various | $20-200 |
Day 7: Bukhara → Tashkent → Departure
Focus: Morning train, airport, farewell
| Time | Activity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 | Early breakfast | |
| 8:00 | Transfer to station | |
| 8:25 | Afrosiyob to Tashkent | 3h 45min |
| 12:10 | Arrive Tashkent | |
| 12:30 | Lunch in Tashkent | Near station or airport |
| 14:00 | Transfer to airport | |
| 16:00+ | Flight departure | Safe travels! |
Alternative: If your flight is late evening, add:
- Visit the new Tashkent City Park
- Last-minute shopping at Tsum mall
- Final plov at Central Asian Plov Center
Budget Summary
Mid-Range 7-Day Budget (Per Person)
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Hotels (6 nights, 3-star) | $300-400 |
| Afrosiyob trains (3 trips) | $45-60 |
| Food (all meals) | $150-200 |
| Entrance fees | $30-40 |
| Local transport | $30-50 |
| Airport transfers | $25-40 |
| TOTAL | $580-790 |
Add for Comfort
| Upgrade | Additional Cost |
|---|---|
| 4-star hotels | +$200-300 |
| Private guides (3 days) | +$150-200 |
| Private transfers all trips | +$200-300 |
Group of 3+? Transfer Beats Train
from $120 / whole car $120
All Intercity Transfers — from $120 Whole Car
Tashkent → Samarkand, Samarkand → Bukhara, Bukhara → Tashkent. Hotel to hotel, no stations. Confirmed in 60 minutes.
Transport Options Compared
| Route | Afrosiyob Train | TourFixer Private Transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Tashkent → Samarkand | $12–25/person / 2h10 | from $120 whole car / 5h |
| Samarkand → Bukhara | $10–20/person / 1h35 | from $120 whole car / 4h |
| Bukhara → Tashkent | $15–30/person / 3h45 | from $190 whole car / 8h |
Recommendation: Use the Afrosiyob train for solo travel and short legs. Book TourFixer for airport arrivals and any group of 3 or more — the per-person cost is often the same or lower, door-to-door.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 7 days enough for Uzbekistan?
** Yes! 7 days is perfect for first-timers. You'll see the main highlights without rushing.
